Recent surveys conducted by Instinct Science have revealed that veterinary practices are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence and digital tools to manage rising workloads and staffing challenges, though personnel shortages remain a concern.
Conducted in late 2025, the surveys collected responses from several hundred veterinary professionals across the U.S., including those in general practice, specialty, emergency, and urgent care settings.
According to the inaugural “The State of General Practice Veterinary Care: 2026 Edition,” 91% of general practices adopted or changed at least one technology in the past year, highlighting the rapidly expanding role of digital tools in clinical workflows.
The third annual report addressing emergency and specialty care, “The 2026 State of ER and Specialty Veterinary Care,” reported that tools such as digital treatment sheets, cloud-based practice management systems, and artificial intelligence-based scribes were credited with improving efficiency (67%), patient care (57%), and revenue (25%), and reducing treatment or diagnostic errors (over 50%).
AI is also gaining traction. Nearly 48% of general practices reported using AI tools, primarily for medical records and administrative support, and 21% of specialty and emergency clinics reported using AI scribes, the largest increase since 2024. Almost 75% of AI adopters said these tools improved workflow efficiency, freeing staff to spend more time on patient care.
Despite these workflow gains, staffing remains a pressing challenge. General practices reported manageable turnover but continued to express concerns about retention. Respondents from specialty and emergency practices reported that hiring has not kept pace with workload demands and rising client expectations. Flexible scheduling and part-time roles are becoming more common, yet workforce constraints still shape how care is delivered.
Survey findings highlight the multi-directional pressures facing veterinary teams, which must balance workforce limitations, client expectations, and rapid technology adoption. The report concludes that veterinary medicine is entering a period of transition, as clinics increasingly rely on technology to support, but not replace, their teams when staffing levels fall.
“Whether it’s an emergency hospital managing surge volume or a GP practice trying to retain staff, the right tools can make a real difference,” said Dr. Caleb Frankel, CEO of Instinct Science.
For a full copy of the reports, visit instinct.vet.